Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery
Bariatric surgery means, surgery performed to reduce the weight while metabolic surgery means surgery is performed not only to reduce the weight but to have a good metabolic impact on the body, namely on the diabetes, hypertension, snoring, thyroid diseases, polycystic ovarian disease etc.
There are well defined indications for the bariatric surgery and not everyone with overweight should undergo surgery. For broad understanding, in India as per the obesity and metabolic surgery society of India.
- BMI >37.5 without presence of any obesity related co-morbidities or
- BMI > 32.5 with the presence of type 2 Diabetes / any obesity related co-morbidities
- Patients motivated to lose weight and commitment to long term follow up
- Patient should have attempted conservative methods of weight loss and failed
- Bariatric Surgery to be considered only between ages of 18 - 65 years
- Bariatric surgery may be considered in patients more than 65 years in the presence of severe obesity related co-morbidities / disability
- Bariatric Surgery may be considered in patients < 18 years in special situations after paediatrician / endocrinology certification, but after attainment of puberty or completion of skeletal maturity
There are various bariatric and metabolic surgeries available; like sleeve gastrectomy, Roux en Y gastric bypass, Minigastric bypass etc. Choice of surgery depends on various factors.
There are lot of misconception for the weight loss surgery, it is better to consult a qualified doctor and understand the correct information rather hearsay.